Why Is It Great?

Over the last few months, my thoughts have been dominated by the definition of greatness, but not in the traditional sense. What makes a cigar great? How do cigars achieve greatness? In an effort to better understand this concept, I directed my research toward my fellow members at my two social cigar sites: Social Cigar and Cigar Outcasts. Posing the question,”What makes a cigar great?” the responses were as expected. Overwhelmingly, the respondents told me taste or flavors are the overriding factor to a cigar’s greatness. Others suggested the importance of overall construction in concert with flavor were critical factors, while the third group added the social aspect; stating great company and a wonderful libation enhances the cigar with positive associations and hence its greatness. I can accept these factors on all counts, but I am not in full agreement. Admittedly, a cigar devoid of both a solid flavor base and meticulous construction can never achieve the level of greatness. But it is these two factors in conjunction with one critical test, the test of time, are what make greatness. Read on.

I suggest a great cigar can stand on its own. While the right friends, titillating conversation and a spectacular Port are great accompaniments to a cigar, these outside factors cannot raise a mediocre cigar to the status of greatness. Similarly, if one were to take a renowned pre-Castor Cuban cigar into a garage during a rainy day, light it up and sit back, does it diminish the status of the smoke? I think not. I do not wish to trivialize the entire cigar smoking experience. As one who chooses to light up only when the time and beverage are correct, I clearly understand and appreciate the importance of those outside factors to which I refer. But a truly great cigar, in and of itself needs nothing to shore up its status.

I believe greatness is bestowed upon a cigar over time. In my mind, to place a 1959 H Upman No. 1 in the same discussion with The Griffin’s #300 is not only unjust to The Griffin, but lessens the character of the Upman; traits that withstood time for fifty one years. Regardless of its linage there may be some who prefer all aspects of The Griffin over that of the Upman. To that I say one may not like a cigar as it may not be suited to one’s taste, but one must appreciated every bit of what that cigar brings to the table. Based on your preferences and tastes, you may flat out refuse another Upman No. 1 if offered to you, but as a cigar smoker, you must admit construction, burn and the ability to maintain or even grow its’ depth of flavor over time deserves highly specialized recognition.

Concluding my research, I spent some time with a well respected and knowledgeable cigar person. I posed the identical questions to him that was asked to my social site associates. Interestingly, he echoed the same theme of flavor, construction, people and booze, and continued to state that my premise based on time is not necessary for a cigar to achieve greatness. Greatness, he said is what a smoker defines it to be. But with each new cigar we try, there is a need to compare it against our favorites. Those cigars which we deem great should become the standard to which all other cigars we smoke are held to. It is then, and only then that we can defines greatness as it relates to our own smoking enjoyment.

Every point discussed here offers it own level of validity. As a traditional cigar smoker of a conservative mind, greatness needs to be proven. Let me light one up, (for research purposes only) just to see if I can find the next great one.

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